laura_seabrook | Matrix Weirdness online (Reply)

One of the things about the Matrix is the multiple failed attempts to expand and extend it, which when mixed with the enormous expectations of a rabid fan base, led to humoungous disappointment. However, much interesting, good, and weird stuff also came out of the Matrix.

I've just been having a look at The Matrix online. This seems to be an MMO but you have to buy a copy of the game ($19.95) first before you can play it. It was uncertain from the website if it costs money to play, but it undoubtedly does. After playing Second Life I have to say the graphics look a bit, um, dated?

At right is a screenshot from the site which shows two fashion victims having it out once and for all. The youtube video The Matrix Online 2.0 probably gives a slightly better idea of what it's all about, though I suspect that after a while things would get very repetitive. Maybe the The Matrix Online - Neo Vs Smith Parody is more like how things are. If I were to play this game, I'd want to be an agent and kick the shit out of the humans!

One of the better free merchandising spin-offs from the first film are the Matrix Comics which you can still read on-line (or buy in paper versions). These are all part of the What is the Matrix site and I find it interesting that, after five years, the site is still there.

Something I didn't expect was Matrixism - the path of the one(赤)! Yep, it's a religion based on the films. Hard to say whether is this is serious or not. The religion-wiki entry lists its religious laws as including "The abrogation of the use of the human image in advertising, the legalization of file sharing, the abrogation of pornography, the legalization of same-sex marriage, the abrogation of professional sports and the legalization of both polygyny and polyandry". Not that I'm opposed to any of that, but it seems an odd mix. In any case they have their own website for you to check out. I wonder what would happen if they met the Church of the Jedi?

And while we're on religion, that religion-wiki has some odd entries. I typed 'jedi' into the search to find the above. I didn't - instead you'll find a link to the GENTA page. Have fun working out what it's all about.

And finally, there is The Meatrix!